Shopsmith Forums

Is there a chart of the serial numbers for the 6" Belt Sander somewhere? I've been looking for the listing but can't seem to find it.

There used to be a listing of the starting serial numbers each month for the Mark 5/V and the SPT's. It seems to have been lost on the Shopsmith website and only a serial number list by years is left and only for the Mark 5/V. In all the lists for these tools there are missing months and even years. Below is a PDF of the list I replicated for the Belt Sander from the old one Shopsmith previously had on the website. Note, the 0 (zeros) are place holders for months without a serial number listed on the original list.
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The Belt Sander was introduced in later 1955. I do not know the beginning serial number but possibly around 10001. This chart does not include any estimated starting serial numbers for any months. 1954 is shown on the chart, only because I used the same Excel template for all the SPT and Mark 5/V charts I recreated.

Thanks so much, Russ! That makes the one I picked up on Saturday as built in June of 1958! Much older than I originally thought. However, something about it just occurred to me; Wouldn't a 1958 model have been painted green? This one was finished in gray and I haven't seen any evidence while taking it apart that it was ever painted green.

When looking at the serial numbers it is important to know that many serial numbers from the early tools like the 1950's and 1960's repeat later but those generally have an SS prefix to the serial number. In the case of the Belt Sander the serial numbers from June 1958 repeat in May 1981. Besides looking for the SS prefix on serial numbers look for who made the tool. In 1958 it was Magna Power Tool Corporation while in 1981 it was Shopsmith Inc. An example of the Shopsmith Inc. serial number with an SS prefix is shown below.

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Below is an example of those 1950's and 1960's serial number plates.

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Yes, for those who noticed it that is a Goldie Belt Sander made in the early 1960's and should have the Yuba company name on the plate. I guess they were still trying to use up the stock they had on hand.

Belt Sanders, like all Shopsmith tools, have a sticker somewhere on the tool for those made after December 1987 when Date Codes began. Below is an example of the Belt Sander sticker.

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Okay, mine does have a "SS" serial number prefix. It also has the Shopsmith - Tipp City, Ohio decal at the trunnion and another decal side of the frame that says "Shopsmith - Vandalia, OH, USA". "Magna" is also cast into that side of the frame. I guess that, along with misinterpreting the serial number, led me to believe it was a Magna-era sander produced in "58. A 1981 production date puts it in the same era as my dad's '82 Mark V and would explain why it's the same color gray, I guess.

Thanks for all the good information on this Russ. I'm always impressed by your depth of knowledge of all things Shopsmith and I appreciate your help!

Having Magna on SPT's like the Belt Sander on the frame carried over from the Magna American production in the 1960's on those castings. This occurs on other SPT's like the Jig Saw with the M on the Lower Housing Cover and continued for some time after Shopsmith Inc. formed to make the Shopsmith/Magna line of tools. Eventually the "M" or "Magna" name was replaced on all SPT's.

It is helpful to remember that the name Shopsmith was given to the original 5 in 1 Tool the Model 10E followed by the Model 10ER and Mark 5 made by Magna Engineering Corporation. All other tools like the SPT's were Magna tools by name. The exception to that is the A-34 Jig Saw made for the Model 10E and 10ER which has Shopsmith on the gear housing cover and came in the box shown below.

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Thanks again, Russ. That's very interesting! It's hard to believe that box has held up so well, too!